Women Pilots

marieann · Women Pilots

I was listening (half asleep) to Andrew Marr this morning on BBC1 and he was interviewing a lady who had delivered fighter and bomber planes to airfields during the war.

She was a pleasure to listen to, beautifully spoken and so much character. There were just over 160 of them and they had no defenses when they were flying these planes to their destinations. Fifteen of them died but mostly due to bad weather.

Their main worry was not to make a mess of any deliveries and let the others down because the air-force didn't want them flying, they said it was men's work, They had been forced into accepting them and just wanted an excuse to stop them.

The best part was when Sir Stafford Cripps said that they were doing the same as the male pilots and should have the same wage and she felt rich.

I hadn't heard of this before but neither had Andrew Marr isn't it strange that it is never mentioned.

JoJo

The ladies certainly did their bit in both wars,thats an interesting story Marieann Smile

Sandie Seward

I wish that I'd have caught that interview, that lady sounds wonderful. A dangerous job in wartime, of course they should have had the same wages.
My mother worked as an Electricians Mate in Devonport Dockyard during the war......until she became pregnant with me. Then she had to stop work, as some of her work was quite dangerous working at heights and such. Smile

Ken R

Amy Johnson was one of these plane deliverers and died when her plane, an Airspeed Oxford, crashed somewhere in the Thames estuary whilst she was on route with a delivery.

The women were not allowed to fly armed planes, so had to fly low to avoid any German aircraft. Apart from small planes such as Spitfires and Hurricanes, they also delivered heavy bombers like the Lancaster as well !

Sandie Seward

Those brave ladies were the true pioneers, the real forunners of Feminism! Very Happy

marieann

Sandie here is the BBC's video of the show. That interview was 30 and a half minutes in. I move the white button along rather than fast forward. It was better second time around.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/...28.stm?bw=bb&mp=rm&news=1

marieann

Thanks Ken I have of course heard of Amy Johnson but didn't know how she had died.

JoJo

I went to an Amy Johnson exhibition this year it was very interesting,I know she died in a crash in the Thames but didn't know she was delivering a plane, her body was never recovered,speculation had it she disappeared to get away from her husband,but thats a bit drastic isn't it Confused

Sandie Seward

Marvellous, thanks very much for posting the link, Marie. Very Happy

browneyes

JoJo

Well good at hiding because she was never found Confused